Flood of support for farmers

By Kath Gannaway
THE BEAUTIFUL Cuttagee Estate gardens in Steels Creek will be open on Sunday 1 May to raise funds for Kerang farmers devastated by the recent floods.
Joanne Spears and Dorothy Barber returned from a visit to the flood-stricken community a few weeks ago with a commitment to do something to help.
Having lived through the Black Saturday bushfires, they have rallied friends to put on the fundraiser.
Ms Barber, who lost her home in the fire, said many of the farmers in Kerang are in a desperate situation, and months after the floods were feeling forgotten.
“We feel as a community what kept us going was the help we received; it was the human kindness that made a difference, so we thought if in some way we could offer some material support we would do that,” she said.
Muriet Wiles welcomed the opportunity to help.
Her garden has been open in the past for various charity events.
Autumn colour is a feature of the one-hectare garden at this time of the year with oaks, crepe myrtles and an avenue of golden elms. Set in spacious lawns other feature plants include conifers, camellias, robinias and irises.
There is also a fairy garden, a lake with friendly ducks and a lotus flower in full bloom, and numerous sculptures.
Gates open at 12.30pm, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the gardens, and there will be coffee, cake and sandwiches, a sausage sizzle, pottery and plant sales and raffles throughout the day.
Yileena Estate Winery will conduct wine tastings and there will be music from around 3pm.
Admission is $10, but there will be plenty of opportunity to dip into your purse or pocket to help the Kerang farmers.
“We know that people all over Australia opened their purses and their hearts for us after the fires, and we are hoping we can raise a good amount of money to send up to Kerang,” Ms Barber said.
“We want them to know that, just because they are farmers and are stoic, we have not forgotten about them and that there is a small community that cares about them.”
Cuttagee Estate is at 65 Willow Bend Drive, Steels Creek.